The Rural Electrification Agency (REA) has commissioned a 100 kWp solar mini-grid in Damau, a rural community in Kubau Local Government Area of Kaduna State, as part of its sustained efforts to expand sustainable energy access and improve socio-economic growth in underserved and underserved communities in Nigeria.
The Damau mini-grid, delivered through the Federal Government’s Capital Subvention, is one of several renewable energy infrastructure projects being deployed by the agency; and through its 2024 capital projects, currently being rounded up, 39 new mini-grids are being added to the nation’s clean energy assets.
For the over 2,500 residents of Damau community, the 100kWp facility is already powering households, small businesses, and public infrastructure, while also powering of a solar submersible borehole, complete with sufficient storage, now supplying clean and potable water to the people in community.
Speaking during the commissioning of the project, the MD/CEO of REA, Dr. Abba Aliyu, said: “The Damau project reflects the agency’s evolving approach to rural electrification, one that deliberately integrates energy access with social infrastructure and community needs, rather than deploying power in isolation.
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“The ongoing energy access scale-up effort of the Federal Government is a clear example of how decentralized renewable energy can transform rural communities”, Aliyu added.
While emphasizing the role state governments must continue to play in nation’s renewable energy scale-up phase in Nigeria, he commended the Governor of Kaduna State, Uba Sani, for his sustained support to the Agency as it continues to design projects that respond directly to the priorities of the people.
In his remarks at the event, the agency’s Executive Director, Technical Services, Engr. Umar Abdullahi Umar, recalled the recent unveiling of the REA’s harmonized technical standards and specifications, which serves as a guide for the sustainable deployment of off-grid energy infrastructure, nationwide.
He explained that with the agency’s compliance with the best technical standards, “the Damau mini-grid reflects our technical commitment to delivering reliable, fit-for-purpose renewable energy infrastructure that responds directly to community needs. By integrating electricity with essential services like water supply, we are ensuring that power access translates into real social impact, sustainability, and a clear pathway for future expansion.”
In line with the REA’s close-knit engagement with diverse stakeholders, the Damau project was delivered through close engagement with community leaders and political representatives, reinforcing its commitment to inclusive planning, local ownership, and stakeholder collaboration.
Photo Caption
Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani (3rd from left); Managing Director of the Rural Electrification Agency, Dr Abba Aliyu (4th from left); and other dignitaries during the commissioning yesterday of a 100 kWp solar mini-grid in Damau community, in Kubau Local Government Area, Kaduna State
